We awoke to a thick heavy fog this morning, and as the locals say: “if the fog is too thick and does not clear quickly in the morning, then the wind won’t be strong.” Well today they were certainly correct.

As we made the trip across to the speedstrip the damp air and mist made it feel a bit like we were in an English winter. But in true Walvis Bay style, at around 2pm, the mist cleared and a gentle SW breeze started to waft over the sandbar. The wind was exceptionally cold and it had a nasty bite which went right through any clothing you had on. I felt a bit sorry for the poor Red Bull girls, but then again we really needed them so, thanks girls!

The wind continued building very slowly throughout the afternoon and in the end at 4:30 the green flag went up and it was go go go… The wind had reached the minimum 20 knots average. The riders took to the water in a flurry of colour and made the best of the light wind conditions. The heat was a blessing for the lighter sailors who could use the less windy conditions to gain some rankings on the heavier sailors.

Finian Maynard (BVI, F2) set the best time of the day with an amazing 35.17 knots. For a big strong guy, the world record holder sure knows how to make the best of the lighter conditions. Second became his strongest opponent, Antoine Albeau (FRA) ahead of Bjorn Dunkerbeck (SUI, T1, North). In the ladies fleet, Valerie Ghibaudo (FRA, Loft Sails) shot the bullet ahead of Maaike Kallenborn (NED), Karin Jaggi (SUI, F2, North) finished only third.

The forecast looks for more wind in the upcoming days, so for the riders that need a discard after todays racing it still looks promising.